In defence of the English people complaining about their ‘heatwave’

England is currently experiencing a heatwave. You probably know this, since it’s made the news over here too.

I should admit now that I’m English, living in Australia. But, it’s for that reason that I know exactly why everyone on the other side is talking about the “heat”, while the rest of the world sits back and laughs at their foolishness. 
 
When I say everyone, I mean everyone. My Facebook feed is littered with people back home “cracking open a cold one” in the garden, turning pink from exposing their usually covered-up skin to the summer sun, and even complaining about the unbearable temperatures. The front pages of the newspapers are about the weather, and people are seriously considering taking a day or two off work to bask in the sun. 

https://twitter.com/DakotaBlueR/status/1011983980785266688

- Temperatures have reached 33 degrees. Sure, it’s not the scorching 40+ we get in Australia, but to a country with an average summertime temperature of 14.8 °C, that’s really bloody warm. 

Yes, it happens every year. Yes, it's still worthy of an Instagram post. 
 
- Summer is a whole feeling in England. Warm temperatures and blue skies aren’t exactly the norm for us, so the atmosphere and general well-being of the population changes with the soaring Celsius.

We truly celebrate the heat; we flock to the local park for a picnic, or head to a pub garden. No-one goes home to sit inside, oh no. We march out, letting our skin turn pink and our moods lift with every day we’re blessed with the sun.

This year, the World Cup is only adding to that general feeling of bliss (as long as we keep winning, of course...)

Imagine getting out of bed 20 minutes earlier every morning to de-ice the car. Imagine sleeping in thermal layers to keep warm. Imagine feeling the cold to your bones, and having to insulate your house to keep temperatures up (incidentally, that’s why our homes get warm in summer, adding to the sleepless nights).

That’s why that rare English summer heat is worth celebrating. 

It’s still ingrained in me to check the weather every day, even though it’s nowhere near as changeable here in Sydney as it is back home. Honestly, moaning is our way of enjoying it. 

So, Aussies; give us a break. We don’t get it very much, and when we do, we like to enjoy it the only way the Brits know how: by complaining, while simultaneously basking with a beer in hand.